Adjusting the folds of his toga one last time, Tiberius Gallus approached the elegant villa of Lady Clodia Marcia. He was met at the entrance by Posca, who ushered him into the atrium.

There he was welcomed by his host. "Lady Clodia! What a pleasure it is to once more be in your company. I hope I am not too tardy, but our session in the Senate went longer than expected today. I shall endeavor to tell you all about the proceedings, for they do involve Africa, but first I must tell you about a most extraordinary encounter I had this morning with a young woman of the Horatii---and her pet leopard!"